The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone. 4,4-difluorobenzophenone may be prepared by diazotization of 4,4'-diamino-diphenylmethane in anhydrous or concentrated aqueous hydrogen fluoride, decomposition of the diazonium fluoride thus produced to yield 4,4'-difluoro-diphenylmethane and oxidation of 4,4'-difluoro-diphenylmethane to yield 4,4'-difluorobenzophonone.Thus, according to the present invention, there is provided a process for the preparation of 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone which comprises the following steps:(1) diazotization of 4,4'-diamino-diphenylmethane in anhydrous or concentrated aqueous hydrogen fluoride to yield a solution of a corresponding diazonium fluoride; and(2) (i) thermally decomposing the diazonium fluoride in the solution thus produced to yield 4,4'-difluoro-diphenylmethane and (ii) subsequently oxidizing the 4,4'-difluoro-diphenylmethane to yield 4,4'-difluorobenzophenone.